Rocking and swinging toy



Dec. 2, 1958 J. A. LEWIS 2,862,710

' ROCKING AND .SWINGING TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D90. 31, 1 956 -llllhl ATTD RN EYE Dec. 2, 1958 J. A. LEWIS 2,862,710

' ROCKING AND SWINGING TOY 7 Filed Dec. 51, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR.

JmnAj e/Ws ATTD RN EYE United States Patent ROCKING AND SWINGING TOYJohn A. Lewis, Lincoln, Nebr.

Application December 31, 1956, Serial No. 631,885

Claims. (Cl. 272-33) This invention relates to a toy or amusementdevice, and more particularly to a rocking and swinging toy.

The object of the invention is to provide a toy which will rock andswing when a child or other person is supported thereon whereby the userwill derive much pleasure and amusement and recreation therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement device whichconsists of a base that has a platform movably mounted thereabove, therebeing a support member arranged above the platform so that when a personis supported on the support member and wherein when the device isactuated, the user will move with a rocking and swinging motion so thatchildren or other persons using the device will derive much pleasuretherefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement device whichmay be provided with a support member that may take the shape ofdifferent objects such as airplanes, boats, or the like and whereby thedevice can be adjusted so that the action can be regulated as desired,whereby in one form of the invention the device is used by adults forrelaxation or health stimulating purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an amusement devicewhich is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent.during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to desig-' nate like parts throughout thesame.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the amusement device, constructedaccording to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the amusement device.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing certain constructionaldetails of the device.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken through the amusement deviceand showing the platform in a horizontal position.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modification wherein thesupport member has the shape of a boat.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure l but showing a person seated onthe support member and with the device in shifted position, the viewshown in Figure 7 corresponding to the views shown in Figures 1 through5.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the device in adifferent shifted position.

Figure 9 is a sectional view illustrating another modification whereinthe support member resembles an airplane.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates anamusement device or toy which includes a base 11, and the base 11 mayinclude a circular rim 12, Figure 5. Arranged centrally within the rim12 is a plate or block 14, and extending between the plate 14 and rim 12and secured thereto is a plurality of radially disposed spokes 13.Adjustably mounted on each spoke 13 is a sleeve or bushing 15, and a setscrew 16 extends through each sleeve 15 and engages the spokes 13 formaintaining the sleeves 15 immobile in their adjusted positions on thespokes 13. Formed integral with each sleeve 15 or secured thereto is anupstanding apertured lug or eyelet 17, and connected to each eyelet 17is an elastic cable 18, for a purpose to be later described.

Extending upwardly from the plates 14 and secured thereto is a socketmember 19. An upstanding post 20 has a ball 21 on its lower end, and theball 21 is arranged in engagement with the socket member 19. Movablymounted above the base 11 is a platform 22, and

depending from the platform 22 is a plurality of spaced apart eyelets23, the upper ends of the cables 18 being connected to the eyelets 23.

The platform 22 is provided with a central opening 30 through whichextends the upper portion of the post 20. Arranged beneath or below theplatform 22 is a collar 24, and the collar 24 is provided with an upperflange 26 and is secured to the undersurface of the platform 22 by meansof a securing element such as nails or screws 27, Figure 3. ,The collar24 surrounds or straddles the upper portion of the post 20, and asuitable securing element such as a set screw 25 extends through.

the collar 24 and engages the post 20 so as to maintain the parts intheir proper adjusted position.

Arranged in threaded engagement with the upper portion of the post 20 isa body member 28 which is provided with a longitudinally extending bore29.

There is further provided a crank which is indicated generally by thenumeral 31, and the crank 31 includes an intermediate oflset portion 32and a lower straight portion 33, the portion 33 extending through thebore 29 in the body member 28. An enlarged flange or head 34 is arrangedon the lower end of the crank 31, and ball bearings 35 are interposedbetween the flange 34 and body member 28. A lock nut 36 is arranged inthreaded engagement with the body member 28, the lock nut 36 beingpositioned above the post20. The upper end of the body member 28 isprovided with an enlarged flange 37, and a washer 38 is arranged abovethe body member 28, there being ball bearings 39 interposed between thewasher 38 and bodyjmember 28. A look nut 40 is positioned above thewasher 38.

There is furtheriprovided a support member 41 which is adapted tosupport a child or other user such as the person 49 shown in Figures 7and 8'. The support mem-v ber 41 includes a major section or portion 42which has a' collar 43 arranged therebelow. The collar 43 is mounted onthe upper end 46 of the crank 31, andthe collar 43 includes a flange 44which is secured to the support member 41 by suitable securing elements45, Figure 3. A set screw 47 extends through the collar 43 and engagesthe upper end 46 of the crank 31, there being ball bearings 48 at thelower end of the collar 43. A ball bearing assembly 50 is arranged abovethe collar 43 adjacent the upper end of the crank 31.

As previously described, the support member 41 is adapted to support theuser such as the individual 49 shown in Figures 7 and 8. The supportmember 41 includes a backrest 51, and upstanding bars 52 which has a rod53 mounted therein, and the rods or pins 53 define a handle so that theperson seated on the support member 41 can safely grip the handle 53 aswhen the support member 41 is moving with a rocking and swinging motionas shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings there is shown a modified supportmember which is indicated generally by the numeral 54, and the supportmember 54 is adapted to be used in lieu or instead of the support member41. Thus, the support member 54 resembles a boat and the support member54 canbe used for holding or supporting the user in the same manner asthe previously described support member 41. The member 54 includes amain body portion 58 which has bars 55 extending upwardly therefrom, andthe'bars 55 support a handle 56. The support member 54 is furtherprovided with a portion 57 which defines a backrest,- and the member 54may be shaped and colored so as to resemble a boat whereby children willderive additional pleasure therefrom.

Referring to Figure 9 of the drawings, there is shown a still furthermodified support member which is indicated generally by the numeral 59,and the support member 59 is adapted to be used in lieu of the supportmember 41 or in lieu ofthe support member 54. The support mem ber 59shown in Figure 9 is shaped to resemble an airplane and includes a mainbody portion 68 which has wings 61 extending therefrom, and there isfurther provided a steering wheel or handle 62 and a seat portion 63 sothat the child can be comfortably and safely supported therein.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided anamusement device wherein the user will be provided with a combinedrocking and swinging motion. In use, a person such as the childindicated by the numeral 49 in'Figures 7 and 8 is adapted to sit on theseat portion 42 of the support member 41. The handle 43 is gripped inthe persons hands, and the backrest 51 helps to insure that the personis properly seated on the member 41. Then, as the weight of the personsbody is shifted slightly, the platform 22 and support member 41 willmove as for example, the parts will move from the position shown inFigures 1 and 5 to the position shown in Figures 7 and 8. This movementis brought about due to the provision of the crank 31 which includes theoifset portion 32. Furthermore, as previously described, there isprovided the ball 21 which is movably positioned in the socket member 19so that the platform 22 and support member 41 are free to rotate or moveabout an axis extending through the socket member 19. The plurality offlexible cables 18 serve to restrain the platform 22 shown in Figures7and 8, and it will therefore be seen that the platform 22 and supportmember 41 are capable of continuously rotating and rocking or swingingso that the user will be provided with a source of much amusement andrecreation as the device moves.

Instead of using the support member 41 shown in Figures 1 through 5, andFigures 7 and 8, the support member 54 may be used and this is shown inFigure 6. Thus, the'support member 54 includes the main body portion 58which serves as a seat for the child or other user,

and the support member 54 is adapted to be shaped and designed sothat-it represents a boat whereby the user will derive pleasuretherefrom. The support member 54 and platform 22 are adapted to movewith a combined rocking and swinging movement in the same manner thatthepreviouslydescribed.support member 41 and platform 22 move.

Furthermore, byremoving the support member such as the support member41and adjusting the cables 18 so as'to support-a greater amountof weight,the platform 22 can be used by adults for exercising and training orimproving balance. The parts can be made of any suitable material and'inany desired shape or size. Thus, by removing the seat or support member,adults or other persons can use the-device as a tumbling device. The setscrews 16 can be loosened whereby the sleeves can be adjusted onthe'spokes 13 whereby the eifective action of the cables 18 can beregulated as desired. Thus, by' moving the cords or cables 18 closer tothe center on the spokes 13, the platform 22 will be more loose as whenchildren are using'the device, and by moving the cables 18 further out,the device may be used by adults. When the device is being used byadults, as when the support member 41 andcrank 31 are removed, adultscan use the device to improve balance, exercise the muscles'and reduceweight.

The construction shown in Figure 3 is such that the crank 31 can turnfreely. Thus, due to the provision of the ball bearings 35 which arepositioned between the flange 34 and lower end of the member 28, thecrank 31 can rotate freely in the body member 28. The cords 18 areadapted to be made of asuitable flexible material such as rubber. Afterthe-sleeves 15 have been moved to the desired position to adjust thecables 18 to the desired tension, the setscrews 16 can be tightened soas to maintain the sleeves or bushings 15 immobile in their adjustedposition. Thus, when the rubber cords 18 are set close to the center,the platform 22 is loose and can be operated by a child of small weight.When the cords 18 are moved towards the outside of the base 11, theplatform 22 becomes more rigid and will support greater weights, as forexample, the weight of'an adult. A pair of set screws 25 and 47 providea further means for adjusting the parts. Furthermore, the size and shapeof the crank 31 can be varied as desired as when cranks are to be usedto accommodate different sizes of children. The support member can bemade to resemble any desired article such as a rocket or bomb, airplane,horse, or vehicle. The various ball bearings insure that the movingparts will turn easily with a minimum of friction.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a rocking andswinging toy which can be used by a child to give a tilt and swing inall directions. The device is constructed so that the amount of tilt canbe adjusted in order to permit the device to suit diflierent childrensability to control the toy. Thus, as the ability and experience of thechild increases, the ride can be adjusted togive a progressively morethrilling efiect or ride. The device can be used'by children ofdifferent ages and of different sizes.

in use, the child sits on the support member and places his feet on theplatform 22 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Then, the child exerts a smallamount of pressure sideways on the platform 22 and the toy can be madeto swing a full 360 or more by means of the previously described bearingstructure. Thus, the child can cause the toy to tilt in any direction bythrowing its weight off center and tilting is permitted by means of theball and socket joint and by means of the crank. The tilt is resistedand the toy is brought back to the upright position by means of theplurality of shock cords 18 which extend between the base and platform.The shock cords 18 will limit the amount of tilt and the tension of thecords can be adjusted as previously described. The number of cords 18which are used can also be varied as desired, and by loosening the setscrew 25, the platform 22 can be raised or lowered. Thus, the higher theplatform 22, the tighter the cords and the more restricted is the tiltand vice versa. Furthermore, the set screw 47 can be loosened, and theposition of the support member 41 can be adjusted so that the action canbe regulated further. After the child has gained sufficient skill andconfidence in the operation of the device. the parts can be adjusted topermit the maximum amount of freedom. The device can be adjusted so thatthe child can shift his or her weight whereby pressure from the childsfeet will cause the weight to shift which will give various types ofrock and roll. Furthermore, the child is never beyond the center on theside that he or she is facing so that the danger of sliding olf onto thechilds face is greatly reduced or eliminated.

The base 11 is sufficiently large so that it will not accidentally tipover and will not accidentally move. The shock cords 18 may be made ofcloth covered rubber, and each support member may be provided with aseat, backrest and hand holds or handles. In Figure 6, the member 55 mayindicate the mast of the toy boat 54, and the member 56 is adapted to begripped by the childs hands. The portion 57 of the support member 54 mayrepresent a pilot house and also serve as a backrest. Portholes may bepainted on the member 54 so as to increase the attractiveness thereof.When the set screw 47 is tightened, the support member 41 will notrotate on the upper end of the crank 31, and when the set screw 47 isloosened, the support member 41 can rotate on the crank 31. The crank 31gives the support member its swiveled motion and also serves to throwthe weight of the child away from the center to obtain more tilt. Thecrank is large enough to support the weight Without bending and fitsinto the bearing. The lower end of the crank 31 turns freely in thebearing or member 28, and the bearing 28 is arranged in the upper end ofthe post or upright support 20. The ball and socket arrangement 19 and21 permits at least 45 of tilt of the post 20 in all directions and agrease fitting may be placed on the socket so as to permit these partsto be greased with a pressure gun. Furthermore, a suitable hood whichmay be made of plastic, rubber or the like is adapted to slip over theball and socket so as to prevent dust, dirt and the like from collectingon this part. If desired suitable braces can be used for strengtheningand reinforcing the various parts.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a base including a circularrim, a plate arranged in the center of said rim, a plurality of radiallydisposed spokes extending between said plate and rim and securedthereto, a sleeve adjustably mounted on each of said spokes, a securingelement extending through each sleeve and engaging a correspondingspoke, a socket member extending upwardly from said plate and securedthereto, an upstanding post having a ball on its lower end arranged inengagement with said socket member, a movable platform arranged abovesaid base and provided with a central opening for the projectiontherethrough of said post, a collar depending from said platform andsurrounding said post, a securing element extending through said collarand engaging said post, a plurality of eyelets depending from saidplatform, an eyelet extending upwardly from each of the sleeves on saidspokes, a plurality of elastic cables extending between the eyelets onsaid sleeves and the eyelets on said platform and secured thereto, abody member arranged in threaded engagement with the upper end of saidpost, said body member being provided with a longitudinally extendingbore, a crank having its lower end projecting through the bore in saidbody member and said crank having a circular flange on its lower endpositioned below said body member, ball bearings interposed between saidflange and body member, said crank including an intermediate offsetportion, a support member arranged above said platform, a collar havinga flange secured to the under surface of said support member, saidcollar receiving the upper end of said crank, and a securing elementextending through said last named collar and engaging said crank.

2. In a device of the character described, a base including a circularrim, a plate arranged in the center of said rim, a plurality of radiallydisposed spokes extending between said plate and rim and securedthereto, a

sleeve adjustably mounted on each of said spokes, a securing elementextending through each sleeve and engaging a corresponding spoke, asocket member extending upwardly from said plate and secured thereto, anupstanding post having a ball on its lower end arranged in engagementwith said socket member, a movable platform arranged above said base andprovided with a cen tral opening for the projection therethrough of saidpost, a collar depending from said platform and surrounding said post, asecuring element extending through said collar and engaging said post, aplurality of eyelets depending from said platform, an eyelet extendingupwardly from each of the sleeves on said spokes, a plurality of elasticcables extending between the eyelets on said sleeves and the eyelets onsaid platform and secured thereto, a body member arranged in threadedengagement with the upper end of said post, said body member beingprovided with a longitudinally extending bore, a crank having its lowerend projecting through the bore in said body member and said crankhaving a circular flange on its lower end positioned below said bodymember, ball bearings interposed between said flange and body member,said crank including an intermediate offset portion, a support memberarranged above said platform, a collar having a flange secured to theunder surface of said support member, said collar receiving the upperend of said crank, and a securing element extending through said lastnamed collar and engaging said crank, said support member including aseat portion, a brackrest, an upstanding bar, and a handle mounted insaid bar.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said support memberresembles a boat.

4. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said support memberresembles an airplane.

5. In a device of the character described, a base including a circularrim, a plate arranged in the center of said rim, a plurality of radiallydisposed spokes extending between said plate and said rim and securedthereto, a sleeve adjustably mounted on each of said spokes, a postarranged above said base and having its lower end swivelly connected tosaid plate, a movable platform arranged above said base in circumjacentrelation to said post, plurality of elastic cables extending betweensaid sleeves and platform and connected thereto whereby the angularitybetween the platform and the base may be varied, a crank having anoffset portion extending upwardly from said post above said platform androtatably connected thereto, and a support member including a seat andback rest connected to said crank.

References Cited in the file of this patent vUNITED STATES PATENTS

